Doing a thorough and proper painting job on your outdoor swimming pool will yield a beautiful and satisfactory job that should remain durable for many years. Time and energy spent in preparation is well worth it.
Acid etching and surface cleaning pools
Painting a pool properly requires attention to four factors- they are:
1. Selection of the proper type of coating
2. Preparation of the surface
3. Proper application of the paint
4. Proper curing time
Selection of the proper type of coating
The most widely used pool coatings are chlorinated rubber base and epoxy base paints. When selecting either of these coatings for your pool, remember that they are not compatible. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We encourage you to call our technical experts to assist in your choices of pool coating. We will also help estimate the quantity of paint required if you provide us with your pool measurements.
Preparation of the surface
Pool surfaces MUST be completely clean and free from slime, scum, body and suntan oils, algae, calcium and other surface residue before they can be properly painted or repainted.
Pools are prepared for painting by a three step procedure:
1. Washing. It is important to know that acid will not remove suntan oil, body oil, diluted hair spray or any oil or greasy substance. These must be removed with a pool washing solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Mix 8 oz. of TSP to each gallon of water. Mix about 5 gallons of this solution for each 1,000 square feet of surface to be scrubbed. Always hose off TSP with clear water.
2. Acid etching. This opens the pores which allows the paint to penetrate into the surface to create a good bond. All persons participating in acid etching should wear rubber boots and rubber gloves. Mix one part 30% muriatic acid with two parts of water. Always pour acid into water, NEVER pour water in the acid! As soon as the acid ceases to effervesce it should be hosed off with clear water. Do not permit the acid to dry on the surface.
3. Re-washing. After etching is complete, the surface should be scrubbed again with the TSP solution to neutralize the remaining traces of the acid.
Proper curing time
Proper curing time is important as rubber based paint gets harder the longer it dries; and the harder it becomes, the more resistant it is to chemical attack.
Please feel free to call us for technical information on all of your painting needs and for quality paint. 1-800-253-7235